Explorations Chapter 11 Evolution of genus Homo

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

Each of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome

Question 2

Anthropocentrism

Answer 2

A way of thinking that assumes humans are the most important species and leads to interpreting the world always through a human lens. Species-centric science and thought.

Question 3

Cortex

Answer 3

The outside, or rough outer covering, of a rock. Usually the cortex is removed during the process of stone tool creation.

Question 4

Ethnocentric

Answer 4

Applying negative judgements to other cultures based on comparison to one’s own

Question 5

Exogenous DNA

Answer 5

DNA that originates from sources outside of the specimen you are trying to sequence

Question 6

Flexed position

Answer 6

Fetal position, in which the legs are drawn up to the middle of the body and the arms are drawn toward the body center. Intentional burials are often found in the flexed body position.

Question 7

Foraminifera

Answer 7

Microscopic single-celled organisms with a shell that are common in all marine environments. The fossil record of foraminifera extends back well over 500 million years.

Question 8

Glaciation

Answer 8

A glacial period, or time when a large portion of the world is covered by glaciers and ice sheets.

Question 9

Globular

Answer 9

Round-shaped, like a globe

Question 10

Grave goods

Answer 10

Items included with a body at burial. Items may signify occupation or hobbies, social status, or level of importance in the community, or they may be items believed necessary for the afterlife.

Question 11

Haft

Answer 11

A handle. Also used as a verb—to attach a handle to an item, such as a stone tool

Question 12

Infraorbital foramina

Answer 12

Small holes on the maxilla bone of the face that allows nerves and blood to reach the skin

Question 13

Insular dwarfing

Answer 13

A form of dwarfism that occurs when a limited geographic region, such as an island, causes a large-bodied animal to be selected for a smaller body size

Question 14

Interglacial

Answer 14

A warmer period between two glacial time periods

Question 15

Levallois technique

Answer 15

A distinctive technique of stone tool manufacturing used by Archaic Homo sapiens, including Neanderthals. The technique involves the preparation of a core and striking edges off in a regular fashion around the core. Then a series of similarly sized pieces can be removed, which can then be turned into different tools

Question 16

Midfacial prognathism

Answer 16

A forward projection of the nose or the middle facial region. Usually associated with Neanderthals.

Question 17

Mousterian tools

Answer 17

The stone tool industry of Neanderthals and their contemporaries in Africa and Western Asia. Mousterian tools are known for a diverse set of flake tools, which is different from the large bifacial tools of the Archeulean industry

Question 18

Nasal aperture

Answer 18

The opening for the nose visible on a skull. Often pear-or heart-shaped

Question 19

Occipital bun

Answer 19

A prominent bulge or projection on the back of the skull, specifically the occipital bone. This is a feature present only on Neanderthal skulls.

Question 20

Ochre

Answer 20

A natural clay pigment mixed with ferric oxide and clay and sand. Ranges in color from brown to red to orange.

Question 21

Retracted face

Answer 21

A face that is flatter

Question 22

Retromolar gap

Answer 22

A space behind the last molar and the end of the jaw. This is a feature present only on Neanderthals. It also occurs through cultural modification in modern humans who have had their third molars, or wisdom teeth, removed.